El Salvador: COFOA Expands Leadership to Defend Democracy

COFOA wins reprieve from anti-NGO law: The Salvadoran Government just exempted the Catholic Church from a new law imposing restrictions and high taxes on civic organizations that receive international donations. As a Service Center of the Diocese of Zacatecoluca, COFOA (Communities of Faith Organized in Action) will benefit from this exemption. COFOA leaders are breathing a sigh of relief, but they are sober about the challenge of holding an increasingly authoritarian government accountable to meet community needs.

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Preparing grassroots leaders to organize: In July, COFOA expanded its “train-the-trainer” program, equipping over 100 core leaders to serve as local organizers. This is part of a new work plan to strengthen leader ownership, encourage civic participation, and put faith into action for the common good.

Standing up for democracy: Despite the challenges facing El Salvador, COFOA has issued open letters opposing El Salvador’s State of Exclusion, under which more than 70,000 citizens have been imprisoned without due process. It also submitted more than 7,000 petition signatures against the Minerals Mining Law, which reverses the country’s historic ban on mining.

Add the name of your congregation or faith-based organization to an international solidarity letter in support of maintaining El Salvador’s mining ban →

A school for organizing: On August 18, a delegation of Faith in Action leaders from Mexico and the U.S. will travel to El Salvador to witness, support, and learn from COFOA’s organizing—building a stronger global movement for dignity and justice.

Growing across Latin America: At the invitation of Catholic leaders from Lima, Peru, and Bogotá, Colombia, organizers from COFOA and Faith in Action spent two weeks visiting communities that have been neglected by government institutions, and laying the groundwork for new grassroots community organizing efforts in both countries.